The Indian side expressed this concern during meetings with visiting Madhesi leaders of the United Democratic Madheshi Front (UDMF) who arrived in New Delhi Wednesday. [break]
Madhesi People´s Rights Forum (Democratic) Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar said, “The Indian leaders agree that the peace process must be completed before the promulgation of the new constitution,” adding, “They feel that the constitution must be written well within the extended deadline.”
Gachchhadar along with Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party Chairman Mahantha Thakur and Sadbhavana Party President Rajendra Mahato met with Indian foreign minister S M Krishna, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on Friday. They also held meeting with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar.
Speaking to reporters the Madhesi leaders stressed that the UDMF will try to involve all other smaller Madhesi parties in their recently announced revolt for the sake of peace and constitution.
Expressing concerns over Maoist intentions, the Madhesi leaders said that the democratic forces in Nepal are under grave threat. “When the present coalition rotates [the prime minister], the Maoists will capture all state power,” Gachchhadar said, adding, “This is a matter of serious concern.”
Sources have said that the Madhesi leaders also discussed the newly announced UDMF “revolt” plan with the Indian leaders.
More meetings are lined up for Saturday. The leaders are to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also with the chairperson of Congress-I, Sonia Gandhi. The Madhesi leaders’ visit has come immediately after the recently concluded visit of Chairman of the Rastriya Janashakti Party (RJP), Surya Bahadur Thapa.
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